Great idea! One small nuance: I'm sure this is so obvious that you didn't see a need to mention it, but I'd like to emphasize with clarity that we're looking for QPR, wines of exceptional value for their price, not just "Good enough to get a cheap buzz on."

This one cost $17.99 on release. I can still get current vintages for $20 or less.

2005 Dönnhoff Riesling - Germany, Nahe (3/2/2014)Some of the universal questions shall forever remain unanswered (why are we here, why do bad things happen to good people, why are the Cubs, Knicks, Browns, etc. cursed with inept management). I need to answer the question as to why I did not, until recently, buy a case of Donnhoff's Estate Riesling each and every year. Going on 9 years old, the 2005 Donnhoff Estate Riesling is just rolling along as if it has all the time in the world. Ripe peach, lemon, salty stones and the barest hint of smoke all float out of the glass, glide across the palate, and linger like the memory of a kiss. What an amazing wine, that has come from comparatively humble origins (Oberhauser Kieselberg, Oberhauser Felsenberg). Lovely.

This was my winter house red. Bought a case on wholesale DI back in November from the restaurant I was at; retail should be $18-19 locally. Finishing the last glass of the last bottle as I speak... Such a lovely companion to so many cold nights' warming dishes (spicy chili tonight and -2 degrees F currently). This is one of the few wines that I can truly enjoy with or without food. Enough fruit to stand alone, and rustic enough to pair with so many things food wise. Lots of lush blackberry and dark wild berry fruit, with an herbal and loamy earthy finish. Wonderfully balanced - I can see why Dolcetto is such a popular table wine for the Piedmontese. I can also see why Dolcetto should be drunk so young - it is just too delicious now to let sit and age! I must admit, in the past, not being a big Dolcetto fan due to having tasted poor examples, but this, along with the Dolcetto d'Alba from Vajra have won me over. Wish I'd ordered two cases....

On Friday night we opened a bottle of the Trader Joe's Pasqua (one of their house brands) 2010 Ripasso to show a friend as a possibility for a good, reasonable red to serve at her wedding in a few weeks. I had bought an extra bottle a few weeks back to re-taste myself. On Friday night it was again surprisingly nice, and Linda (I think) was convinced that this was a smart choice. But we only tasted at it, so Bob and I poured the half bottle remaining for ourselves yesterday afternoon, and I have to share about just how surprised I was at the fact that it not only didn't fall apart overnight or turn to vinegar, it improved. The raspberry-cranberry-cherry fruit had picked up a wonderful lively pepperiness not evident the night before. It's not just good for $9.99, it's good period.

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

Whilst my main collection remains mostly inaccessible in movers' boxes, nearly all my consumption at present is of wines purchased locally at under €15. Some have been very nice including a Marcillac at about 9€, a Huet Vouvray-like Savennières 2010 from Ch.de Varennes at <€10 whilst a Savennières 2005 Cuvée de l'Avant - Chamboureau, Soulez at <€6 was rich but so evolved that it was on the verge of tumbling into oxidisation. This was last night's bottle.

This was much more refined than any previous Fronton in my experience and I don't think that it was just reading about the Syrah on the back label that made me think of Northern Rhône with its notes of steely cherry on medium full body with lively non-astringent acidity. The slightly gummy and tarry tang and rustic streak which I associate with previous Fronton and like was, however, missing. It reminded me a little of a country lad who has learnt to speak posh. Good wine though and I'll probably buy it again along with its entry level stable mate which i may like more.

Well the Dishwasher beat me to the Pasqua Ripasso. So tonight we had the 2011 Tommolo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($7.97 at Trader Joe's; Alcohol level: 13%). This is absolutely the fruitiest Monte we've ever enjoyed; and it held up with enough body to match with lamb shanks and spaghetti.

So, somebody tell me how do the grow organic grapes on the West Coast of Italy, make it into a 13% delicious wine with a natural cork, ship it do someplace on the East Coast of the U.S., get it into Trader Joes system, and shipped to Portsmouth, NH and sell for that price? This has to be the best value in the U.S.

The appearance of this wine is clear and brilliant with a deep ruby red color. The nose is fairly intense and fruity. With hints of bright red fruit, red currant, some coffee beans and chocolate. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with a soft, smooth, and rich texture. The finish is long and pleasant with just a hint of earth and spicy notes.

Taste: Crisp, clean minerality with apricot and a bit of buttered toast on the finish.

Pairing: Goes wonderfully well with all manner of shellfish, but it is great with pan seared scallops.

I hadn't tried much Cremant de Bourgogne until it started showing up on WTSO. At $9.99 this stuff is hard to beat as a regular drinking apartif or shellfish pairing. I did purchase another CdB from a different supplier that was not blanc de blanc and not nearly as good. Perhaps quality is highly variable among these wines.

PS: Does "blanc de blanc" imply "méthode traditionnelle?"

Sam

"The biggest problem most people have is that they think they shouldn't have any." - Tony Robbins